Credits:
Photos : Márcio Amaral @marcioamaralph
Makeup e Hair: Dani Silva @danisilva.makeup
Personal Stylist: Luciana - Style4you @style4uoyvip
Jewelry: Flávia Vetorasso @flaviavetorasso
Cover Design: @mathlopes
Direction:@directorhooks
Juliana Cerqueira, a Brazilian entrepreneur and investor, who currently resides in Miami, Florida, USA, is a partner-investor in the clothing company Up2U Wear since 2020, as well as being one of the founders of T-Hemp, an investment and real estate projects company, and JLC Med, a medical supplies company - all currently operating in Florida. She is also a partner in La Belle, a beauty SPA in São Paulo. Juliana is focused on diversifying her investments, leading an investment team in new businesses in different sectors.
Originally from São Paulo, Juliana graduated in Advertising and Marketing from Universidade Paulista (UNIP) in 2007, where she also studied Law for three years. Her professional career started early, at 17 years old, as a sales associate at Schutz store, and she was quickly promoted to assistant manager. At 20 years old, while still a student at UNIP, she opened her first car wash business, which grew rapidly and was eventually sold to pursue new ventures.
At 23 years old, Juliana started a business importing and selling surgical equipment, planting the seed that years later would lead her to establish herself in Miami. In parallel, she opened the La Belle beauty clinic in São Paulo with two partners. After permanently moving to the US, Juliana deepened her knowledge in business through courses at Harvard and the University of Maryland, in the areas of Business, Marketing, and Microeconomics. She also obtained her real estate broker's license in Florida and entered the real estate industry.
We had the opportunity to interview this Girl Boss, come with us to learn more about her successful journey!
1-Partner-investor at Up2U Wear, a clothing company based in Miami, since 2020, also one of the founders of T-Hemp, an investment and real estate projects company, and JLC Med, a medical supplies company - all currently in operation in Florida. And also a partner in the La Belle beauty spa in São Paulo. How do you manage to juggle all these roles and still succeed in all the areas mentioned?
I rely on a valuable support from a very dedicated team, who assist me in all my ventures and materialize my ideas. This synergy allows me to significantly optimize my time.
2-How did you identify a business opportunity and decide to invest in it?
For me, it is essential to believe in an idea before investing my time and energy into it. When I recognize the potential of that idea, I dedicate myself intensely to turning it into a successful project.
3-What were the main challenges you faced at the beginning of your ventures and how did you overcome them?
I faced significant challenges from the beginning, the main one being my limited experience in business, as this was a completely new world for me. However, through a lot of willpower and determination, I managed to seek the necessary knowledge to overcome these obstacles and turn them into valuable learning experiences.
I faced significant challenges from the beginning, the main one being my limited experience in business, as this was a completely new world for me. However, through a lot of willpower and determination, I managed to seek the necessary knowledge to overcome these obstacles and turn them into valuable learning experiences.
4- How did you get started in the world of investments and what was your journey to becoming a successful investor?
My first investments were in consortiums and low-risk investments in the bank. Later on, I decided to take a bit more risk by investing in a friend's idea, UP2U. It was through this initial experience that I had the opportunity to get to know the American market and its demand. From there, I entered the medical materials sector and never looked back.
5- How do you manage risk in your investments and make tough decisions when something goes wrong?
I always seek to invest in projects that give me a sense of security and confidence. If I don't feel that security, I prefer not to pursue the idea. However, I understand that nothing in life is guaranteed, so problems can eventually arise. Fortunately, I have an incredible team that assists and supports me in finding the best possible solutions.
6- What led you to leave Brazil to seek new horizons in Florida (USA)? And how has this change been for you?
I moved to the United States in search of a better and safer life, after having some negative experiences with violence and robbery. That's when I decided to start my life over in a safer country. In addition, the business world was also a determining factor in this decision. The real estate market and new ventures are on the rise in the United States, especially in Miami, where I currently reside.
7- And last but not least: what is your voice? What would you like to shout to the world if given the opportunity?
I would like to give advice to all people who have a dream: believe in it and fight to make it come true. There is no magic formula or recipe that we can follow, we all face obstacles in life and it can be difficult, but don't give up.
I myself moved to another country without mastering the language, faced cultural shock, prejudice and homesickness, but I didn't give up. I had clear goals and objectives to achieve.
If we persist in our dreams, they can come true. Don't be discouraged by obstacles, each challenge can teach us something new and make us stronger. Believe in yourself and fight to make your dreams come true.
